November 9, 2011

Fire investigators say they can't rule out that a water heater was the cause of the fire at two Citrus Heights busineses on Monday.

The water heater, located in a storage area at the back of the building, could not be eliminated as the cause of the fire that heavily damaged a Tuesday Morning store and the Hoss Lee Salon Academy.

Additional scientific testing needs to be completed to tie down the exact cause. An estimated $2 million in damage was sustained to building and contents.

"Sacramento Metro Fire would like to remind citizens that monthly visual inspections of all gas-fired appliances to include proper venting and maintaining a 36-inch clearnace is necessary for sustained safety," said a press release from the department today.

The two businesses in the 6300 block of Sunrise Boulevard shared a "false wall," investigators said. The fire was extinguished with no injuries.

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